Head of Legal & Regulatory Affairs at Kenya Tea Development Agency (MS) Ltd

The Role

Reporting to the Group Company Secretary successful candidate will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of the Legal & Regulatory department, provision of legal advisory services and ensuring effective management of legal and contractual risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing and advising management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures.
• Reviewing government and other relevant regulations that will impact on the operations of KTDA [H], its subsidiaries and managed factory companies and advice on the necessary actions to ensure compliance.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance by formulating compliance check-lists to be used for the purpose of ensuring that all information required is provided accordingly.
• Monitoring progress of outstanding litigation and liaising with and managing of external lawyers.
• Overseeing legal research as required and registering legal documents with relevant registries.
• Monitoring compliance with statutory obligations and advising management accordingly.
• Verifying adherence to internal (KTDA) policies and external regulations.
• Providing legal protection and risk management advice to management especially on contract management.
• Providing and interpreting legal information, conducting training and disseminating appropriate legal requirements to staff.
• Liaising with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken.
• Ensuring that contracts, leases and legal documents have been prepared in the proper manner and that the relevant registers are updated.
• lLiaising with external lawyers on legal matters for and against the Group Companies.
• Reviewing and providing legal advice on tender documents.
• Providing leadership and ensuring efficient and effective management of staff and resources in the Legal & Regulatory department for KTDA group.
• Negotiating, reviewing and drafting documentation for business transactions.
• Preparing, reviewing and modifying contractual instruments to assist and support various business activities.
• Reviewing all contracts or any other documentation where the Company has committed itself and assess legal implications that need to be brought to the executive management’s attention.
• Preparing monthly and quarterly reports for the department for executive management meetings.

Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• A Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized institution.
• A Certified Public Secretary.
• Member of ICPSK with good standing.
• An advocate of the High Court.
• Member of Law Society of Kenya with a current practicing certificate.
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Kenya School of Law.
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience, four (4) of which should be at a senior level in either a comparable position in medium to large public or private institution.
• Demonstrates good grasp of Commercial law, the Constitution of Kenya and other relevant national laws.
• Must have demonstrated ability to handle departmental budgets, resources, processes, projects and relationships.
• Should have thorough knowledge of the relevant industry/sector as well as knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting the relevant sector.
• Must have ability to plan, organize, implement and evaluate departmental goals;
• Must demonstrate ability to handle multiple and conflicting priorities, and work under strict deadlines.
• Should have strong analytical and be result oriented.
• Must have high standards of integrity and ethical practice.
• Must be capable of functioning effectively both as a team player and a team leader.
• Must have management and Leadership skills.